Deslauriers_Annotation

Deslauriers, Sarva. “The Awakening: Feminist Rebirth” 11 June 2007. Associated Content.http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/269035/the_awakening_feminist_rebirth.html' singlepage=true&cat=9 Sarva Deslauriers open up a whole new view of “The Awakening”, one that probably does not fall in line with the majority of the educated literary world. Deslauriers starts with a controversial statement of personal appeal, stating that it is “easy to forget what we're living in and the world around us if we're never forced to struggle.” The author then goes on to state that Edna Pontellier seemed to represent an empty character, a character “trained not to use her own mind, and taught to be a baby maker, housewife, and beautiful object.” Deslauriers believes that the character of Edna undermined many modern feministic views, causing for an empty, husk-like feminine figure, barely containing any personality, to be patronized and advertised within this novel. “Chopin makes clear her own point of view as well, which is obviously on Edna's side.” Deslauriers explains. We are made to think within the “box” that Chopin has created for the reader, and instead of creating an image of women independence and movement away from the stereotypes created in the time period, Chopin constrains the mind to them. Deslauriers also argues that Chopin makes “Edna's awakening is essential, even if it is painful.” In short, Edna had to die in order for the story and line of feministic values to feel completed. Deslauriers’ writing concludes another tinge of disappointment and unrest with the novel, for instead of advertising what seems to be all other novel critics in the world see in the book, Deslauriers finds herself one in few to find the novel to not represent the feministic awakening so vallantly advertised. Although Deslauriers finds the novel full of “clever language and commentary”, the ending taste that one can find is quite disappointing. You come out with a sense of “child-like wandering” with the opinion of Deslauriers. While harsh and blunt, Deslauriers’ essay offers a new and quite interesting view on the sometimes over publicized novel by Kate Chopin. Full of blunt commentary and just plainly honest opinion, Deslaurier offers an essay that will most definitely stick in your mind every time you think of this classic.